Split peas are the dried, peeled and split seeds of Pisum sativum. In north India, they are generally known as matar ki daal, sometimes used as a cheaper variation for the very popular chhole on stalls offering it. They come in yellow and green varieties. The peas are round when harvested and dried. Once dry, the skin is removed and the natural split in the seed's cotyledon can be mechanically separated, in part to encourage faster cooking.

Health Benefits of Split Peas

Are you worried about your cholesterol level? Eat split peas! Full of soluble fiber, peas help to bind up cholesterol-containing bile and move it out of your body. This can help with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. A single cup of cooked dried peas in your daily diet provides 65.1% of the recommended daily fiber. They also provide a good amount of protein, two B-vitamins, and several important minerals. Peas also include isoflavones, which are helpful in reducing the risk of breast and prostate cancer.

If you are diabetic, or have it in your family, split peas can be your best friend. Peas help stabilize your blood sugar levels while providing a steady supply of energy. Studies have shown that type 2 diabetics who eat at least 50 grams of fiber per day can lower their cholesterol, their triglycerides, and the VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoprotein) by a considerable amount.

Bacon - split peas soup

Peas can also reduce the amount of plaque in your blood vessels and help your heart remain healthy. If you are sensitive to sulfites, which are added to most deli foods and salad bars, the mineral molybdenum will help you detoxify them. Peas can provide you with almost twice the recommended daily allowance of this mineral from a single 1-cup serving. Signs of sulfite sensitivity may include rapid heartbeat, headache, or disorientation.

They are a great source of protein and are also very lean and healthy, with only 1 gram of fat per 350 calories (1,500 kJ) serving. Most of the calories come from protein and complex carbohydrates. The split pea is known to be a natural food source that contains some of the highest amounts of fiber, containing 26 grams of fiber (104% DV based on a 2,000 calories (8,400 kJ) diet). Fiber is known to help the digestive system and to make people feel full and satiated.

Green and yellow split peas are commonly used to make pea soup, and sometimes pease pudding, which was commonly prepared in Medieval Europe.

Summarily:

Split Peas are full of lots great soluble fiber that lowers your cholesterol and triglycerides, and also B Vitamins, tryptophan, and magnesium for helping you relax, and other great minerals… and they are a good source of protein. Split Peas lower blood sugar levels and are full of anti-oxidants helping to prevent cardiovascular disease (lowering heart related disease by up to 82%) and cancer… and also helping to prevent irritable bowel disease.

And because Split Peas have lots of potassium they also lower your blood pressure. And because Split Peas are full of molybdenum they also help detox the body of some types of food preservatives. And if you eat brown rice along with Split Peas you have a good source of complete amino acids.